NORWALK, Conn. (March 28, 2006) - Realizing it's time to let go of your best friend on four wheels is half the battle - and these days, that's the easy half. Buying a car is one of the largest investments many people will make in life, and more and more, people are by-passing new cars for a used model.

"When you're buying a car - new or used - it's important to get the facts first," said NASCAR legend and AutoVantage spokesman Bobby Hamilton. "The old standby that `grandma only drove it to church every Sunday' may seem convincing, but you need to make sure you're getting the car you're paying for."

Brad Eggleston, vice president of AutoVantage said, "You should do your research before you start looking for any vehicle, but especially used cars and trucks. Be sure to consider all the angles - from mileage, model and vehicle history to warranties and financing - and you'll be sure you get the most car out of your investment."

Used car sales have become big business in the US. There are many choices beyond the dealership and used car lots. Hamilton offers these tips to help take you to the finish line with your next purchase:

• Avoid non-performing vehicles - Check out the model's repair record, maintenance costs, and safety and mileage ratings in consumer magazines or online.  Safety-related recalls are required by law to be publicized and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration's Web site is a good place to find out if your car has any (www.nhtsa.dot.gov).  The TSA also posts consumer complaints and defect investigations - good information.


• Find out the vehicle's track record - Make sure that your dream roadster wasn't last year's flood or hurricane victim. A vehicle history report from Experian Automotive (www.autocheck.com) is a cheap way to ensure that your car is not the victim of odometer fraud, past fire, flood or accident damage. All you need to access this information is the vehicle identification number (VIN), $15 and about five minutes of wait time. If you're not going the pre-certified route, this could save you lots of money and aggravation down the road. 


• Read the bottom line and all the ones in between - Dealers are required by the Federal Trade Commission to post a Buyer's Guide in every used vehicle offered for sale. This guide serves as your best friend in the world of used car buying and provides a lot of important information, including if the car has a warranty and what percentage of repair costs (if any) the dealer is obligated to pay. The guide always overrules your sales contract so be sure any spoken agreements or negotiations are written into both. 


• Be in the driver's seat while negotiating - The blue book has been the authority on car value for more than 80 years. Consult the Kelley Blue Book before going to the negotiating table, and be prepared to bargain for the best deal on your car.


• Get a second opinion - Be sure to give the car a thorough inspection, inside and out. And when you think you've looked at everything, have your own crew chief give it a final stamp of approval. Visit a qualified mechanic for an automotive diagnostic and a thorough inspection of the underside of the car. Welding marks, dents and kinked structural parts on the car's underbelly may tell a different story than the owner. Dealers should have no problem lending you the car to have it inspected. If a private owner is reluctant, offer to follow him to the shop to have it inspected. And if you don't have a certified mechanic, the Car Care Council, an organization that certifies U.S. diagnostic shops, has an easy-to-use Web site searchable by zip code (www.carcarecouncil.org).  A thorough diagnostic will cost you about $120 and is well worth its weight in steel and rubber. 


• Do more than kick the tires - Think of the test drive like your warm-up lap. Don't just take the car for a leisurely Sunday drive around the block - take a serious test run. Put some speed on the odometer and give the brakes a work out. Make sure the steering wheel doesn't wander from left to right or shake (this could just be a need for front-end alignment or wheel balancing, but could also be the beginning of a much more serious issue with the driveline, suspension or frame which could be pricey repairs.) Drive up and down hills, down highways and through stop-lights. Remember, you're going to be spending lots of time in the driver's seat of your new car. If you can view the area where the car is parked overnight, check for any oil or other fluid marks on the ground. 


• Get the facts about financing - There are two ways to buy a car: you can pay the full cost out-right or finance over time.  Being able to pay in full is ideal because you avoid interest and other loan costs, but for many of us that's just not an option.  Dealers and lenders want your business so they'll give you lots of loan options. Beware of advertisements offering tempting deals to folks with bad credit or first time buyers. Get the facts on any loan before you sign the dotted line. Find out the exact price you're paying for the vehicle, the amount you're financing, the finance charge, the APR and how many payments you're up against.



Bobby Hamilton, a spokesman for AutoVantage, is the 2004 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Champion after achieving four career NASCAR Winston Cup Series victories. He founded Bobby Hamilton Racing, which owns and operates three trucks in the NASCAR circuit.




About AutoVantage

Members of AutoVantage (http://www.autovantage.com/ or 1-800-876-7787) can save from 5 to 20 percent on car care at some 19,000 service locations, including participating AAMCO, Jiffy Lube, Meineke and American Car Care Center locations. AutoVantage also offers 24-hour nationwide emergency towing, roadside assistance, and lockout protection from its network of more than 10,000 emergency roadside assistance providers. Trip routing for maps and door-to-door driving directions across the U.S. are also included. AutoVantage is offered by Affinion Group, a leader in the membership, insurance and loyalty marketing businesses, providing products and services that touch the lives of millions of Americans.

About Affinion Group

Affinion Group is a leading affinity direct marketer of value-added membership, insurance and package enhancement programs and services to consumers. With more than 30 years of experience, Affinion Group currently offers its programs and services worldwide through more than 4,500 affinity partners. Its diversified base of affinity partners includes leading companies in a wide variety of industries, including financial services, retail, travel, telecommunications, utilities and Internet. Affinion Group also has a growing loyalty solutions operation which administers points-based loyalty programs. Based in Norwalk, Conn., Affinion Group has approximately 3,600 employees throughout the United States and in 13 countries across Europe.

About Affinion Group
As a global leader with almost 40 years of experience, Affinion Group (www.affinion.com) enhances the value of its partners' customer relationships by developing and marketing loyalty solutions. Leveraging its expertise in customer engagement, product development and targeted marketing, Affinion provides programs in subscription-based lifestyle services, personal protection, insurance and other areas to help generate increased customer loyalty and significant incremental revenue for more than 5,550 marketing partners worldwide, including many of the largest and most respected companies in financial services, retail, travel, and Internet commerce. Based in Stamford, Conn., the company has approximately 4,250 employees and markets in 17 countries globally. Affinion holds the prestigious ISO 27001 certification for the highest information security practices, is PCI compliant and Cybertrust certified.

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